AI is currently dominating the conversation in education. But is it the most urgent priority? As fake news infiltrates our social media feeds and deepfakes become evermore convincing, young people need more than AI literacy to navigate the world.That’s a view shared by the OECD, WEF, McKinsey and today’s guest, Leo Thompson. As a teacher, school leader and Edsplorer, Leo is known for his work in helping improve learning and wellbeing for children. In this episode, he joins Kai to discuss:- The essential skills students need to successfully and independently navigate a post-AI world- A question for your community that will have a surprising impact on your school- A toolbox of practical classroom strategies to help you prepare your students for our V.U.C.A worldAnd if you’re not familiar with that acronym, we’ll also explain it.About our guestLeo Thompson is a teacher, school leader and the founder of Edsplorer, a consultancy dedicated to advancing education through innovation and insight. He previously served as Head of Educational Partnerships for iCanStudy. He and his team of specialists help international schools around the world improve children’s learning skills and, in turn, well-being.Resources If we haven’t exhausted your curiosity during the episode here’s some terrific links to deepen your learning:Leos website: www.edsplorer.comWhat kind of learning for SSAT: https://webcontent.ssatuk.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/09150124/RS2-What-kind-of-teaching-for-what-kind-of-learning.pdfThe OECD Learning Compass: https://www.oecd.org/en/data/tools/oecd-learning-compass-2030.html The World Economic Forum: https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023/ McKinsey's 2021 useful model and breakdown: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insights/defining-the-skills-citizens-will-need-in-the-future-world-of-work WHO. Adolescent mental health: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-healthKaiPod NewsEnjoyed this episode? Keep the conversation going with KaiPod News — a fortnightly newsletter from Kai Vacher sharing fresh insights, stories, and strategies from education leaders around the world. Subscribe here.

Educator's Corner Episode 14
Kaipod

Bill Gates recently predicted that AI will replace teachers within 10 years. But is he right? In this episode, we sit down with Priya Lakhani, CEO and founder of Century Tech, to explore what AI really means for the future of education. Join us as we discuss: - The biggest challenges and opportunities of using AI in education - 3 ethical considerations that every school AI policy should embrace - How to balance AI-powered tools with traditional teaching methods - Why AI will never fully replace the role of teachers While new technologies may change classrooms beyond recognition, this conversation reveals why human intelligence, judgment, and relationships are more important than ever.About Our GuestPriya Lakhani is the CEO and founder of Century Tech, which provides AI-powered personalised learning pathways for students and teachers. As an entrepreneur, innovator and board member of the UK Government’s AI Council, Priya is an expert in AI innovation and education. Resources:

⁠Priya Lakhani LinkedInKaiPod NewsEnjoyed this episode? Keep the conversation going with KaiPod News — a fortnightly newsletter from Kai Vacher sharing fresh insights, stories, and strategies from education leaders around the world. Subscribe here.

Educator's Corner Episode 13

#AIinEducation, #EdTech, #FutureOfLearning, #EthicalAI, #RethinkingEducation, #EdTech, #FutureOfLearning, #RethinkingSchooling, #EducatorsCorner, #EducationPodcast,

In this episode, we speak with Lord Jim Knight, a prominent figure in education and technology, about moving beyond Ofsted, curriculum reform, and the impact of AI on education.

Lord Knight, former Minister of State for Schools and member of Gordon Brown's cabinet, is currently non-executive chair of several organisations including E-Act, Century Tech, STEM Learning and COBIS. He shares his journey from theatre manager and sales rep to politician and education reformer.

Key topics discussed:

• Findings and conclusions from the Beyond Ofsted review, which Lord Knight recently chaired

Lord Knight offers valuable insights on reforming school inspections, reimagining the curriculum, and thoughtfully integrating AI into education. His perspective as both a former government minister and current education leader provides a unique view on these critical issues facing schools today.

Links:

• Beyond Ofsted report: https://beyondofsted.org.uk/

Teacher wellbeing is central to student success, which is why it’s a key priority for many school leaders. But with limited time and resources, how can we make a real difference to staff wellbeing?Mark Leppard MBE, Headmaster at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi, joins us to explore 4 practical ways to support staff wellbeing in schools. Tune in to discover:- One simple protocol that can drastically improve staff wellbeing- How giving feedback fosters positive relationships between colleagues- Why schools should implement flexible work arrangements - Successful examples of flexible working strategies in schools (including for teachers)- How to create flexibility while maintaining educational excellenceAs the teacher recruitment crisis grows, we urgently need a solution. Could focusing on staff wellbeing be the answer? Join us to find out. About Our GuestMark Leppard MBE has nearly 20 years of experience as a headteacher of British School Al Khubiarat and, previously, at Doha College. He is a frequent contributor to educational discussions and conferences, speaking on the topics of school governance, leadership and student and staff wellbeing in schools.Resources

• 5 ways to support ‘professional wellbeing’ in your school ⁠https://www.tes.com/magazine/leadership/staff-management/5-ways-support-teacher-professional-wellbeing-schools⁠
• ‘Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well’⁠https://a.co/d/bUSxB06⁠
• Department for Education (England) 2024 pay award:⁠https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/07/29/teacher-pay-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-2024-pay-award/⁠
• Kai Vacher will be speaking about flexible working in schools on 13 November at GESS Dubai: GESS Dubai 12-14 November 2024: ⁠https://www.gessdubai.com/⁠ KaiPod NewsEnjoyed this episode? Keep the conversation going with KaiPod News — a fortnightly newsletter from Kai Vacher sharing fresh insights, stories, and strategies from education leaders around the world. Subscribe here.

• ISC Research (https://iscresearch.com/)
• LYIS (https://leadingyourinternationalschool.com/)
• COBIS (https://www.cobis.org.uk/)
• BSME (https://www.bsme.org.uk/)
• FOBISIA (https://www.fobisia.org/)
• HMC (https://www.hmc.org.uk/)
• CIS (https://www.cois.org/)
• IB (https://www.ibo.org/)
• TeachMiddleEast (https://teachmiddleeastmag.com/)

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How can schools improve student wellbeing and inclusivity? In this episode of the Educator’s Corner podcast, I am joined by Matthew Savage, an educational consultant and creator of the "Mona Lisa Effect," to explore this question. Matthew shares: - The importance of data in measuring what truly matters in education.- How leaders can create a more supportive and inclusive learning environment.- Simple strategies for winning over educators who find data intimidating.- How kind, warm, street, and slow data fit into the broader context of education. This compelling conversation offers a unique perspective on how data can help us improve student wellbeing and ensure every child feels seen, heard, known, and belongs without exception. About our guest Matthew Savage is an educational consultant who has worked with some of the world's leading international schools. Matthew is known for his work on the "Mona Lisa Effect," a project that helps schools use data to improve student wellbeing and inclusivity in education.

Resources

• Matthews website: https://monalisaeffect.me/who-i-am/
• Norah Bateson Warm Data (have a read of this article in particular)
• Shane Safir and Jamila Dugan's Street Data (Jennifer Gonzalez offers a deep dive into this here), 
• Tim Logan's 'Future Learning Design' podcast
• Cathy O'Neill's Weapons of Math Destruction 
• Caroline Criado Perez's Invisible Women 
• Steve Camden https://www.bearstories.org/poems
• Carl Honore   ‘In Praise of Slow’ 

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The global teacher shortage is hitting UK schools particularly hard. According to a recent Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report, 46% of secondary schools had at least one vacant position in the last academic year. British international schools are also struggling to recruit specialist secondary teachers.So, how can we solve the teacher shortage? Can innovation save us?In Part 2 of the Global Teacher Recruitment Crisis series, Mark Steed and I discuss some of the more innovative solutions to recruiting and retaining talented educators. We explore:- Key aspects to include in a school employment strategy- How remote tutoring could solve teacher shortages- How online schools are reimagining education in the UK and beyond- Whether hybrid schooling is the future of secondary schoolingJoin us as we explore ways to fix the global teacher shortage and turn this challenge into an opportunity for innovation.How is the global teacher recruitment crisis affecting your school, and how are you responding to it?About our guestMark Steed is the Director and Consultant at Steed Education, which specialises in educational consultancy support for Schools Groups, U.K. independent schools, and English-speaking international schools. Read more about Mark here.

Resources

• John Howson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-howson-21093129/
• Schoolsweek: https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-on-track-to-miss-teacher-recruitment-targets-again/
• COBIS Teacher Supply Report 2022:  https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1651160654/cobis/fxtlopinmbyhwzixnnry/COBISTeacherSupplyReport2022.pdf
• Kai’s article in School Management Plus: https://www.schoolmanagementplus.com/bursars-finance/how-innovation-could-save-us-from-the-global-teacher-shortage/
• SteedEducation website: https://www.steededucation.com/blog1/why-hybrid-schools-are-the-future-of-secondary-schooling

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Team Coaching: What It Is, What It Is Not, and How It Can Combat Burnout

In Episode 7 of the Educator's Corner podcast, Linda Berlot discusses team coaching with host Kai Vacher, highlighting its transformative impact and role as an antidote for burnout.

Key Points:

• Understanding the essence of team coaching and its distinction from 1:1 coaching.

Resources:

• Article: "We all doubted team coaching at first" - A firsthand account of team coaching's impact on rediscovering shared purpose and direction.
  

Contact for CRRGlobal’s ORSC coach training program: [email protected]

Join industry trailblazer and thought leader Mark Steed and me as we delve into one of the most pressing challenges facing international education today: the teacher recruitment crisis. The global teacher shortage is often likened to a "grey rhino", an imminent threat that has been looming for several years but is now poised to strike with devastating impact. Throughout this episode, we examine the current state of teacher recruitment crises across educational systems and schools worldwide. We analyse:- Why we’re facing a global teacher recruitment crisis- The implications of teacher shortages on our students' education- Existing efforts by governments and organisations to combat the crisis- International school leaders’ approaches to recruiting and retaining high-quality educators- Innovative practices and initiatives that could attract new talent to the teaching professionThis insightful conversation offers a unique insight into the global teacher recruitment crisis and ways we can turn this challenge into an opportunity for growth and improvement within international schools.About our guestMark Steed is the Director and Consultant at Steed Education, which specialises in educational consultancy support for Schools Groups, U.K. independent schools, and English-speaking international schools. Read more about Mark here.Resources

• Kai’s article in School Management Plus
• SteedEducation website
• Mark’s letter to The Times, 29 May 2023
• Russel Speirs podcast with Kai on School Management Plus
• COBIS reports on teacher supply crisis
• "Black swans, gray rhinos, and silver linings" McKinsey & Company

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Some educators think coaching is fluffy, ineffective and impractical. Yet, research says otherwise. According to the International Coaching Federation, organisations that create coaching cultures are more likely to recruit and retain high-performing staff and increase employee engagement. That’s why today’s guest, Nicholas McKie, believes that schools could benefit from embracing a coaching culture. As an International Executive Coach with over 20 years of experience in educational leadership, Nicholas joins us to explore the benefits of coaching in schools. He shares: - The key differences between coaching, teaching and mentoring - How schools can start to build a coaching culture and what changes to expect- Why coaching cultures lead to better conversations, better thinking and better outcomes in schools- How we can skillfully navigate difficult conversations with colleagues, parents and students- How chatbots impact our capacity for scaling up and enhancing coachingJoin us as we get curious about these topics and learn from Nicholas McKie's wealth of experience in the field.About our guest Nicholas McKie is the Director of the coaching and leadership development company, Persyou. He is an accomplished International Executive Coach with over 20 years of experience in international educational leadership. He is also the author of the insightful book, "How to Create a Coaching Culture in Your School."

Resources

• Amazon link to Nicholas Mckie’s book: All Ways Coaching
• Nicholas McKie’s LinkedIn Profile
• Amazon link to Nancy Cline’s book: Time to think

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